GM Zero/GL's Giantslayer! (Inactive)

Game Master GM_Grandlounge

down 6 points, from 12 to 6.

So that would mean that you would still be unable to shoot your bow effectively, even with the spell.

Ben defends his little friend. With a mightily swing. Doing massing damage to a seemingly tiny creature.

@Ben you can't move off the bridge, without flight they don't have reach but seem to be flying and moving away. They are large enough that they are hitting from out of your square.

Strength Damage Ulretha only: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Even though he is swing at nothing Ulretha manages to connect again and hears a small gasp as the wind is knocked out of a creature's lungs.
Ulretha's Pack tries to keep track of the creatures. Lidia manages to arrest the progress of the poison but the effects still linger.

You each hear the creature moving a little more. Maybe taking a more defensive fighting style.

Attack Little Buddy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 181d3 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (4, 4, 2) = 14

Attack Blue Hyena: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 291d3 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (5, 2, 5) = 16

Somethings (2) -27/-32
Lidia -28 / 1 str drain, 5 str damage
Ben
Thyste
Ulretha -36 / 1 str drain, 7 str damage
Kioshi

When searching the four-legged dream team seems to indicate the creatures are far from the edge of the bridge. The Xs are now a general direction, not a specific location. Please keep that in mind.

Kioshi moves forward and casts a burning hands spell in the general direction that was indicated!

Burning hands, CL +1 with 1 arcane reservoir point, DC 15 half reflex : 5d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 3, 2) = 11

This time the shot on the agile little reptile is off and Buddy manages to evade the strike. Are these things poisoning the party? Ben has the detect poison spell which would allow him to pinpoint their location if he picks the right square.

"I advise getting off of this bridge! Maybe if they didn't have trees to hide in we might have more luck seeing them."

Ben is about to rush to the other side when he sees Kioshi stick around and take another shot at the thing and decided to wait. If Little buddy is able to spot the things on their way in, Ben will take another shot.

With the creatures apparently out of his reach, Ulretha moves next to Kioshi to protect him, readying an attack should it seem that an opponent gets close enough.

Readied Attack Aggrimosh: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 = 9

Miss chance <=50: 1d100 ⇒ 71

When Lidia sees Kioshi fighting bravely against the unseen enemies and Ulretha standing valiantly though he's obviously just as debilitated as she is, something quietens and stiffens inside the girl's heart.

She lifts her bow and aims into the spot in space where gout of Kioshi's fire eddies somewhat around something. She grits her teeth and her arms tremble with effort, but she can only draw her bow back about halfway before letting an arrow fly. Nevertheless, she manages to send two arrows off in the direction of the enemy.

5' step, rapid shot vs enemy on the Ulretha side of the bridge

Ranged Attack#1: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 - 2 = 20
Concealment,<50=miss: 1d100 ⇒ 11
Ranged Attack#2: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 2 - 2 = 19
Concealment,<50=miss: 1d100 ⇒ 65
damage: 1d8 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4

Ben if the creatures still had/has poison on the weapons or their person that would/will work. But you have seen the animals not getting poisoned.

Gotcha! Some good news at least.

Kisohi you have one more set of actions from your missed turn. I will proceed tomorrow morning. You guys are almost done you are doing well

Thyste frowns and steps forward; fighting an invisible enemy is not fun, of course, and after about twenty seconds of it, she’s ready to avoid it for the rest of her life if she can help it.

She just needs to make sure the rest of her life includes tomorrow.

She swings her dory like a gladiator, hoping to catch some vital artery on the tip!

Dory Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
High is Good: 1d100 ⇒ 100
NAILED ya!
Dory Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Kioshi uses the time to change the 'Resist Energy' spell he has to 'glitterdust' via quick study arcane exploit.

This is my action in the round.

Ulretha Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Strength Damage Ulretha only: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Ulretha continues to feel his strength sap away.

Kioshi focuses his magical energy and releases blaze of bright red flame.

Ref: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

The creature is seemingly unable to get away from the blast. It's silhouette lights up just clear enough that Lidia plunges two arrows into the creature. Her bow has never been harder to pull, it reminds her of being weak, almost childlike, but her dedication and training have not wavered.

The west most creature swoops to attack a member of the pack but Ulretha's swing disrupting its flightpath causing it to miss.

Attack Blue Hyena: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 151d3 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (1, 2, 4) = 9

Attack Little Buddy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 201d3 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (4, 4, 1) = 11

Ben hears an attack near Little Buddy and Little buddy snaps at it trying to alert you.

@Ben you can roll an attack for this round along with your actions from the last.

Thyste watches keenly as well and lunges in the direction of the growling striking flesh.

Somethings (2) -53/-42
Lidia -28 / 1 str drain, 5 str damage
Ben
Thyste
Ulretha -36 / 1 str drain, 9 str damage
Kioshi

The creatures seem critically injured. The tides seem to be turning but that means they are getting desperate.

I think you guys can do it this round so think about what you want to do when leveling.

Readied attack

Lidia waits for the pack to pinpoint the invisible attacker again, then looses more arrows, grunting with effort it costs her.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 2 = 11
Concealment, miss <50: 1d100 ⇒ 32
Damage: 1d8 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 2 = 16
Concealment, miss <50: 1d100 ⇒ 70
Damage: 1d8 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5

Ben explodes the creature. A fine mist appears out of the air like a firework fired with no trail exploding from an imperceivable pint in space.

One left, Lidia landed a hit it can be long now.

Ulretha feels weak as...well, as weak as something that he would normally kill and eat. It is not a pleasant feeling and both the armor he's wearing and the hammer he's wielding feel as though they are twice as big as they actually are.

"Nice hit," he grunts as Ben, apparently severs one of their opponents.

He moves to the opposite side of the bridge, taking up a spot next to Thyste and watching closely for any sign of their remaining opponent, hammer at the ready.

Readied Attack Aggrimosh: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2) + 2 = 9

Concealment <=50: 1d100 ⇒ 7

Thyste, apparently in the zone today, hears the subtle movements and uses Ulretha’s missed swing to determine where her quarry isn’t.

Dory Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
High is Good: 1d100 ⇒ 73
Woopwoop!
Dory Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

”This should do it!”

Not knowing exactly where to swing Ulretha swing high and Thyste swing low and by change low proves correct. Thyste feels the resistance of arrow shaft clearly lodged in the creature and it fades into view on her Dory.

Out of combat. What would you like to do? You level, heal HP, and regain spells and abilities. The strength drain/ damage remains as normal.

Thyste grins; ”Have you ever seen a fox pounce a snowbank and come away with a mouse? It’s like that,” she says, shaking the tip of her spear to get any gore off.

It’s around now that she noticed that Ulretha’s arms are looking scrawny. As is the rest of him, actually??

”This is what happens when you skip leg day.”

She looks over the group; Lidia’s not looking much better.

”I think maybe you two need to lay down...”

Kioshi is unbelievably relieved!

His mirror images are still around him and mimic his panting form.

“That was hard! Thanks guys!!“

Ulretha is feeling a mix of...things. He still feels incredibly weak but also as though he has more potential than ever before.

He does sit down for the moment, though, at least after moving back to the entrance and off the bridge.

"Poisoned. I'm sure I'll be fine again soon, though if anyone has any magic to help, I'll take it."

So, just to be clear, we level up and get all our HP and spells back? If that's the case, I'm good with pressing forward, especially if Ben can hit us with some restoration magic.

Lidia moves over to Thyste and examines the creature skewered on her little sword.

"That's not a twigjack." she says. She pokes it tentatively, like she's making sure it isn't playing possum. Then she shakes her head and grimaces. "And it's so little. I figured as deep as it drove that blade in, it'd be bigger."

Then she addresses Thyste's observation that she doesn't look so good.

"When that thing stabbed me, it definitely poisoned me. I got bitten by a spider once -- little stinker got me while I was sleeping, right behind the ear." She moves her stringy dark hair aside with her left hand to reveal a little discolored circular scar behind her earlobe. "And I felt a lot like this for a couple days afterward. It's like my muscles just don't want to work all the way -- they just get about halfway to a full effort then give up. This feels worse though. But at least it isn't burning any more."

She steps over to Ulretha. "How are your hyenas?" she asks gently. She seems genuinely worried about them.

Ben examines the poisoned wounds and adds "That looks like a really nasty poison though. Will take pretty long to heal without magic. I can help somewhat, after a little meditation, but it is still gong to take some time."

Ben looks around, assessing the situation. "Where should we wait? I feel a little exposed out here on this bridge."

Memorizing 3 lesser restorations, using all the second level slots I got but not the third level slots. I could if you want me to.

Ulretha you have that correct. If you go ahead with Ben's plan roll the strength healing.

Knowledge nature now that you can see the remains of the creatures if you want to know what they are.

kn nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Two lesser restorations for the one with the most damage and one for the person with the second most damage.

Thyste mostly spends the time keeping a close eye out—and an ear. Invisible creatures are hard to spot, but out-of-place sounds aren’t nearly as bad.

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19

"I don't think we should wait back in the room with the twigjacks either." says Lidia as she looks over the hyenas. "I'm sure they'd be watching us, and if we managed to scare them off with a show of strength, then sitting back in there vulnerable and debilitated would only encourage them to attack us. We could go all the way outside I suppose. But assuming there are no more invisible flying threats around here, this bridge might actually be the safest spot."

Ulretha scowls, looking at the bridge. "Lidia's right," he says. "Assuming there are no more flying creatures, we only have two directions to watch if we stay on the bridge."

I think Ulretha took more strength damage, but might be better to get Lidia up to where she can use her bow effectively. I have more ways I can overcome my gap. Also, if you got all your spells back and cast them all now, and we rest overnight you can burn all your 2nds for tomorrow on more restorations. It will leave us behind in the spell department but the martial folks should be pretty close to normal, again.

Onnikka looks disdainfully at Lidia as the woman approaches to pet her. But she does not snap and actually subtly leans into the affection though with all the appearance of disinterest.

Fazingar is, miraculously, back on his feet and takes the attention gratefully, brushing his side against Lidia.

Until Crezobill shoves himself between the two of them and butts his head against her hand insistently.

That lasts right up until he yelps and skitters away as Onnikka gives him a corrective nip. She then sits to get more petting, glaring at the omega male while Fazingar is able to return.

She only allows Crezobill to return when she, apparently, gets bored with it all and goes to lay down near one end of the bridge, watching vigilantly.

The pack jostling for her attention and affection brings out a side of Lidia very rarely seen. She giggles happily like a child and indulges every whim of the greedy little beasts with all the love she can muster.

Lidia and Ben realize these creatures are Lurker in Light. They are particularly dangerous little fey with greater invisibility in the light, flyby attack, and even the ability to case blindness/deafness. They like many fey have DR to CI.

"Yikes! I've heard of these things, but never seen one before this. Though I guess that is not all too surprising considering how well they hide even while attacking. I'm surprised we beat them at all. They really should have fled when they had the chance."

"I used to hear stories about those things at the trading posts. Didn't think I'd ever see one up close. Let alone two." says Lidia, as she ruffs the fuzzy necks of the hyenas.

"It's possible that the druids had them sealed in here, or tasked them with keeping out intruders. Though from what I've heard they're evil little religious fanatics who likely wanted our blood for some ritual. Hard to know. Fey have a way of sneaking into places like this, especially if they are abandoned and go to seed, like this one has."

"And remember there's supposed to be a hag running around in here, according to Hildy. it's possible these creatures were working with her."

Thyste leans heavily on her spear. She's been largely untouched in recent fights... but mentally, it's all been rather taxing, and beside all that, she could use a nap.

"Oh, fey cryin' out loud," she mutters, then bobs her head a little, pouting a bit. "Fey-ning interest. Fey-tality."

She turns her head back to Lidia, grinning ear to ear. "Thankfully we were here to help dole out a few FEY-talities!"

"They're dead and we're not. That's the only important thing," Ulretha says.

He groans at Thyste's jokes.

After Ben casts a spell on him, he tests his muscles again.

Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 1

"Not bad...not great, but not bad..." he says.

So, 8 strength down. Poor guy is barely above average, now.

She turns her head back to Lidia, grinning ear to ear. "Thankfully we were here to help dole out a few FEY-talities!"

Lidia nods at this statement of fact, but then notices Thyste grinning at her. She pauses, puzzled, thinks about it, then gets the joke... sort of.

"Oh...sure, yeah." she says awkwardly. She then goes back to petting the hyenas.

About this time, Lidia's cat comes strolling onto the bridge, like a matron on an Oathday walk. She brushed past Little Ben's leg, looking pointedly away from Little Buddy, then continues on down the bridge.

"There you are!" says Lidia as if the creature can understand her. "I thought you must be waiting outside with Hildy."

The cat mewls intently, like it's answering, and Lidia laughs. "Yeah, she does." she answers back. The cat comes over and plops down next to her, and begins licking its paws and rubbing them past its ears. It ignores the glaring, salivating hyenas.

"You know, while you've been lazing around out there, these guys have been fighting like crazy. You might show them some respect."

The cat sneezes. Then sneezes a second time. And a third time. Then it flops on its side lazily.

Lidia pets its belly. "Useless." she scolds lovingly.

Lesser Resto #1: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Lesser Resto #2: 1d4 ⇒ 1

After the spells are administered, Lidia tests herself against the bow again. She still can't draw it all the way back, but she nods appreciatively at Ben.

"Much better. Thank you. It doesn't hurt any more at all. A day or two and I should be back to normal."

Ben nods thoughtfully.

"You two were pretty bad off. I'll have to do this again tomorrow. Until then, it looks like you will both have to be weak."

"I'm not weak!" Ulretha bristles in response to Ben's words. He then rather rudely suggest Ben perform an act upon himself which is physically impossible while Ulretha performs the same act upon Ben's mother using an orifice not designed for that function.

Thyste grins. ”To be honest, I feel like the ladle would get in the way.”

"Now, Ulretha, I did not mean weak in that sense. You've just lost some of your strength and it will come back soon enough."

Knowing what is really bothering him, Ben adds, "And you are among friends who have no desire to take advantage of any weakness anyway. A good team does not not exploit each others weaknesses. A great team exploits one another's strengths and guards one another's weaknesses. And like it or not, you are part of a team which, at least if I have any say in it, aspires to greatness."

Hildy follows the cat in and says, "Sorry, I was talking to the cat, and all of a sudden you were all gone."

Obviously the GM forgot about the NPC. But she is on the board now so remind me if I forget again.

As you move from the bridge and through the next set of doors you see a series of detailed woodcarvings depicting druidic worship decorates the walls of this room. To the southeast, a short flight of stairs leads to a dais, upon which sits a throne crafted of dead, overgrown brambles and thorns. Doors to the north, west, and northwest offer exits from the chamber

"And you are among friends who have no desire to take advantage of any weakness anyway. A good team does not not exploit each others weaknesses. A great team exploits one another's strengths and guards one another's weaknesses. And like it or not, you are part of a team which, at least if I have any say in it, aspires to greatness."

Lidia listens dubiously to Little Ben's inspirational speech, then turns to Thyste.

"It doesn't have to be a big ladle." she observes. Then she whaps Ulretha with her bow. "Calm down. You know perfectly well what he meant. Don't be such a gnoll."

The door to the northwest being the one we entered through.

Lidia looks at Ben.

"Do druids have kings? I didn't picture you guys as throne types."

"Of course they have kings," says Thyste. "Smo-king and drin-king!"

Teacher resigned!!! x'D

Ulretha continues to glower at them all as they reassure him, but the snarl goes away and his fur no longer bristles. He even goes so far as to give a nod of confirmation at what they're saying.

Ulretha heads into the room and eyes the throne. "If you sit on that will you be the druid king?" he asks.

He searches the room for anything interesting, though he is careful not to touch the throne.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"Well not so much a king, but there is definitely a hierarchy. I don't know that I've ever heard of a druidic throne. Druids tend to be wanderers. I could see creating a seat of power that has function. Then again there are all sorts, and some druids are, well, ambitious and proud, so who knows."

Is there a knowledge roll Ben can make to know what the throne might be about?

Ben approaches the throne, axe in hand, and tries a detect magic, though he is not all that skilled in telling one enchantment from another, and then scans for poison with a detect poison spell. The place is making him nervous. Things are definitely off and if Ben were the one corrupting the place he would set up traps designed just for druids. You know, like a nice woodsy throne.

Ben give me a nature or local roll. Whichever you like.

Ulretha you begin to look around the room. What stands out to you is a series of 21 scenes were masterfully carved into panels of all types of wood, including alder, ash, birch, fir, maple, oak, and pine, which were then hung upon the council chamber’s walls. Starting just northeast of the door to the greenhouse bridge (area J2) and proceeding clockwise around the room, the carved panels depict the tale of the druids’ final sacrifice. The initial images portray a horde of orcs rampaging across a marsh until they are met by a group of druids. The next several carvings show the orcs battling the valiant but vastly outnumbered druids and routing them back to a circle of standing stones. The next panel depicts the druids prostrating themselves before a single large stone menhir, followed by a series of carvings showing the druids—many in animal form and accompanied by all manner of beasts and plant creatures—issuing forth from a giant carved blossom and marching with renewed vigor into the center of the orc horde. The last few images illustrate a solemn scene of sacrifice, wherein the druids slay themselves. As the druids’ bodies fall to the ground, strange glowing globes of light rise from the mud of the swamp. The final panel depicts the spheres of light punching through the invaders in murderous retribution, driving the orcs from the marsh in terror.